Stephanie Standerfer, Professor of Music
Ruebush Hall, Room 224, (540) 535-3469, sstander@su.edu

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education curriculum is intended for students who plan to teach music in the public schools and seek licensure as a qualified music teacher by a state department of public instruction. Students complete courses in music, music teaching techniques, and general education studies to fulfill requirements for the K-12 Virginia music teaching license. The degree program includes a balanced combination of courses, teaching experiences, and performance opportunities designed to foster and develop skills as musicians and teachers and prepare students for successful careers in music teaching.

Program Outcomes

Students completing the Bachelor of Music in Music Education will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge, skills, and understandings in music central to the practice of music teaching;
• design culturally responsive instruction to meet a variety of student needs; and
• lead learning experiences using appropriate techniques for elementary and secondary music students.

Admission

Students are admitted to the Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree program based on the entrance criteria established by the university and Conservatory. Students follow the course of study published in the Shenandoah University Undergraduate Catalog for the year of entrance to the university.

All initial licensure teacher education programs at Shenandoah University require that the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics test must be taken before admission to candidacy in teacher education programs. Bachelor of Music Education (BME) students are admitted to candidacy following successful completion of the Sophomore Screening. BME students must pass the PRAXIS Core Math exam (or document remediation or exemption) and pass the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment test (VCLA) prior to the Sophomore Screening interview.

Sophomore Screening

The Sophomore Screening is conducted at the end of the fourth semester of study in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education curriculum. All students in the Music Education program are required to apply for candidacy to the teacher education licensure program.Faculty will conduct screening interviews for each student at the end of the sophomore year to assess whether the student’s academic, personal and professional progress qualifies him/her for candidacy.

Students must complete the following requirements:

• demonstrate a consistent level of academic success in all coursework during semesters one through three; • meet the minimum passing scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics test and remediation if necessary, or exemption criteria;
• meet minimum passing scores on the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA);
• complete General Education requirements for Domain 1 and Domain 3 and psychology coursework;
• complete the Child Abuse and Neglect Module and the Dyslexia Awareness Module;
• complete a criminal background check with no disqualifying offenses; and
• complete a minimum of 20 hours of observation, meeting program criteria.

Additional requirements for the Sophomore Screening are detailed in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education Handbook.

Upon successful completion of the Sophomore Screening interview, BMME students will be admitted as candidates to the teacher education licensure program. Students who do not satisfy the Sophomore Screening interview requirements will not be admitted into 300- or 400-level music education (MUED) coursework.